ST CHARLES, Mo. — Three people were left without a home for the holidays after a fire early Wednesday morning in St. Charles.
St. Charles Fire Chief George Sheets told 5 On Your Side that fire crews responded shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday to a fire at a two-story home in the 2600 block of Hempstead Street, located at the New Town of St. Charles development. The house was completely engulfed when firefighters arrived.
"Here in New Town, the houses are somewhat close together …. My concern was that we would have exposure problems," Sheets said. "But the firefighters got here very quickly and were able to put water on the fire and were able to contain the fire to the house of origin."
A man and woman who lived in the home, both believed to be in their 50s or 60s, jumped from a second-story window to escape the flames. Sheets said the woman was uninjured, but the man suffered from smoke inhalation and a minor injury to his head. Both were taken to an area hospital for medical treatment.
Neighbors said another man, believed to be in his 20s, got out uninjured. He was in the basement when the fire broke out and was able to escape through the back of the home.
"The house is a total loss," Sheets said.
Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire but said they believe the it started on the lower level near a Christmas tree.
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